After taking a significant amount of time to collect evidence and apply for Social Security Disability benefits in West Virginia, it takes roughly three to six months for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to make a decision on your qualifying status. The sad part is that they deny almost 70% of all applications.
Getting it right the first time
Before you start your Social Security Disability benefits application, you need to find out if you qualify to receive them. There are two main criteria that SSA uses: medical and financial. The medical criteria examine whether your physical or mental condition is severe enough to prevent you from working and earning an income of at least $1,260 for the next year or could lead to your death.
Financially, you must have earned enough work credit (40), 20 of which you acquired in the last ten years ending with the month you became disabled. You receive one credit for each $1,640 you earn as of 2023, but this number is subject to yearly change.
What you need to know about applying
When submitting your Social Security Disability benefits application in West Virginia, make sure you include all the documents that prove your condition and your work history. This includes medical records, such as lab reports, doctors’ notes, imaging tests, etc., and proof of income, such as W-2s and 1099 forms. Additionally, you need to provide an SSA-827 or Authorization for Release of Information form that allows them to access your medical records from third-party sources.
With all of these documents together, ensure they are complete and readable before submitting them. The SSA will return incomplete or illegible forms for corrections and cause delays in processing your application.
Navigating the process of applying for Social Security Disability benefits in West Virginia can be complex, but careful preparation and thorough understanding can substantially increase your approval chances. It’s crucial to ensure your claim comprehensively demonstrates your disability and its impact on your ability to work. And if SSA denies your application, you can always appeal, even up to the Supreme Court.